What are the lab test on bitumen?

Various tests are conducted on bitumen to assess its consistency, gradation, viscosity, temperature susceptibility, and safety. There are a number of tests to assess the properties of bituminous materials. The following tests are usually conducted to evaluate different properties of bituminous materials.

What are the tests for bitumen?

What are the tests conducted on bitumen mention the importance of each?

Float test is used to determine the consistency of bitumen. But we generally use penetration test and viscosity test to find out the consistency of bitumen except for certain range of consistencies. The float test apparatus consists of aluminum float and brass collars as shown in below figure.

Which test indicates the strength and quality of bitumen?

Penetration test of Bitumen determines the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in millimeter to which a standard loaded needle will penetrate vertically in five seconds while the temperature of the bitumen sample is maintained at 25 0C.

What is float test of bitumen?

The float test of bitumen is used for measuring the consistency or ability of bitumen to flow. The consistency of bitumen is measured by penetration and viscosity test. For bituminous materials with higher viscosity, these tests are not applicable. Instead, float tests are conducted.

Penetration Value of Bitumen

What is ductility test of bitumen?

property of bitumen which allows it to undergo deformation or elongation is called ductility of bitumen. The ductility of bitumen is measured by the distance in Cm (centimeter), to which the bitumen sample will elongate before breaking when it is pulled by standard specimen at specified speed and temperature.

What is specific gravity of bitumen?

The specific gravity of pure bitumen is in the range of 0.97 to 1.02.

What is Marshall test?

The Marshall Test is a popular and proven method to measure the load and flow rate of asphalt specimens, beginning with compaction into molds using manual or automated Marshall Compactors, and conditioned in a Water Bath at the specified temperature.

What is fire point of bitumen?

The rate of stirring should be approximately 60 revolutions per minute. Observe the thermometer carefully and when the temperature is 17^oC below the actual flash point (175^OC) lit up the test flame.

What are the three types of bitumen?

There are three varieties of bitumen emulsion, namely, slow setting (SS), medium setting (MS) and rapid setting (RS) depending upon the stability provided by the emulsifying agent. It can be easily applied at ambient temperature, merely mixing it with aggregates for road works starts the binding process.

Why does viscosity test bitumen?

Significance of Viscosity Test of Bitumen:

It ensures the quality of the bitumen used as a binder by giving a measure of fluidity at a particular temperature. If the bituminous binder used in the pavement has much lower viscosity value, then it will act as a lubricant only.

What is the density of bitumen?

The density of bitumen is 1.01-1.05 g/cm 3 in the temperature range of 25°C to 85°C [63] .

What material is bitumen?

Bitumen is a by-product of crude oil. it is composed of complex hydrocarbons and contains elements like calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen. The quality of material and ease of production depends on the source and type of crude oil from which it is derived.

What is 30 40 grade bitumen?

Description of Bitumen 30/40. Penetration Bitumen Grade 30-40 is Semi-Hard penetration grade bitumen using as Paving Grade Bitumen suitable for road construction and repair also for the production of Asphalt pavements with below Penetration Bitumen 30/40 Specifications.

Where VG 40 bitumen is used?

VG-40 BITUMEN: VG-40 is used in highly stressed areas such as intersections, near toll booths and truck parking lots in lieu of old 30/40 Penetration grade.

How is bitumen grade calculated?

The penetration is measured in mm and it indicates the relative hardness of the bitumen. Higher the penetration, softer is the bitumen. A penetration of 0.6 to 0.7 mm indicates 60/70 penetration grade bitumen.

What is flow value of bitumen?

The flow values for the asphalt concrete with mineral filler range from 2.3 mm – 3.3 mm, while that with hydrated lime range from 2.4 – 3.4 mm. The optimum bitumen content for both mixtures was found to be 6.5%.

What is ASTM D1559?

ASTM-D1559 › Test Method for Resistance of Plastic Flow of Bituminous Mixtures Using Marshall Apparatus (Withdrawn 1998)

What is softening point of bitumen?

The softening point of various bitumen grades generally lies between 35°C to 70°C. Softening point of bitumen to be used for road construction at a place where the maximum temperature is 40°C should be greater than the 40°C.

What is the unit of specific gravity?

Specific gravity is a dimensionless quantity; that is, it is not expressed in units. To find the sp gr of a solid or liquid, you must know its density in kilograms per meter cubed (kg/m³) or in grams per centimeter cubed (g/cm³). Then, divide this density by the density of pure water in the same units.

What is softening point test?

The determination of softening point helps to know the temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be heated for various road use applications. Softening point is determined by ring and ball apparatus.

How do we measure the viscosity of bitumen?

It is measured by a vacuum capillary viscometer. To measure the viscosity, a capillary (very thin) tube is placed in the water bath. The temperature of the water bath can be both 60 °C or 135 °C. The time that takes to pass bitumen through the capillary tube is recorded.